Xatu (Uber Analysis) [QC 2/2]

[Hugendugen]

QC Approved: 2/2!

Xatu

[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Roost
move 4: Night Shade/Hidden Power Fire/Toxic
item: Light Clay/Leftovers
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

• Xatu's ability to completely prevent Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory, Tentacruel and Deo-S from setting up any Hazards enables it to come in and set up screens, making it great support for offensive and stall teams alike.
  [*]Xatu's higher physical bulk, flying type and access to roost enable it to tank several physical attacks. Unlike Espeon, it doesn’t fear getting 2hko’d be Ferrothorn and can even wall most of Groudon's defensive sets.
  [*]Magic Bounce not only reflects hazards, but status moves, taunt, encore and non-damaging phazing moves. With the correct prediction, this makes it a nice switch-in to bounce back Darkrai’s signature Dark Void (although beware a terribly annoying 80% accuracy), Taunt from a virtually extinct Deo-S, Whirlwind from Lugia and ultimately a great killer of Stall.
• In the final moveslot, Night Shade provides the most consistent damage, while sun support lets Hidden Power Fire 2HKO the most specially bulky Ferrothorn and OHKO all Forretress, outside of Sturdy. Although Toxic leaves you ineffectual against these two steels, Xatu can still PP Stall Ferrothorn and it allows you to wear down the likes of Ho-oh, Groudon and Lugia

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

• Light Clay is obviously the preferred item for a Dual Screener, but Leftovers can be used instead to ensure greater longevity against Ferrothorn’s Gyro Ball and moves like Groudon’s Stone Edge or Dialga’s Draco Meteor, while behind screens.
  [*]Xatu can also run a Wish U-turn set for additional team support. However, its wishes are rather small and it will lack longevity when compared to Roost. A Relaxed nature may be used to take a hit before wish-passing to its teammate.
  [*]Xatu works well with anything that dislikes hazards, such as Ho-oh or Kyogre, or benefits from Screens, like Rayquaza and Cloyster.
  [*]But it particularly enjoys Giratina-O and Groudon support. Gira-O can absorb Forretress’ Rapid Spin, and if you are brave even switch back to Xatu to nab another layer of hazards. Meanwhile Groudon provides the sun for Gira-O or Xatu to pound Ferrothorn/Forretress with a boosted HP Fire and checks several of Xatu’s biggest threats, including Zekrom, Terakion and Tyranitar. Ho-oh also fits nicely into this combination, taking advantage of the lack of Stealth Rocks and the sun from Groudon.
  
  [*]With only 70 base SpD and no investment, Xatu is OHKO’d by all of Kyogre’s attacks and Draco Meteor from any specially offensive dragon. However correct prediction and Light Screen will allow it to wall Dialga and Scarf Palkia. Both Chansey and Ferrothorn provide excellent support, taking advantage of the lack of hazards while soaking up these troublesome special attacks.
  [*]Since Dialga, Tyranitar, Deoxys-A and Offensive Groudon can all set up Rocks, but also OHKO depending on which move they choose, Xatu does require a fairly high level of prediction to prevent Stealth Rocks entirely.

[OTHER OPTIONS]

• A set with Toxic/HP Fire/Roost/Night Shade can function as an effective stall breaker.
• A Calm Mind set with Psyshock, HP Fire and Roost can take advantage of Xatu’s immunity to Roar, Whirlwind and status moves to set up and possibly sweep. However it will struggle against Gira-O and Espeon might actually be a more effective user of this strategy, due to better SpA and SpD.
• Finally, Xatu also has the ability to set up Trick Room and proceed to U-turn to a more capable attacker. In this way, it not only helps by distorting time and space, but by preventing the hazards that for instance weaken Kyogre’s Water Spout.

[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]

• Kyogre, Palkia, Mewtwo, Skymin (2HKO) and most Specially Offensive Arceus can happily switch in on all of Xatu’s attacks, bar Toxic, and OHKO with their powerful special attacks. Dialga can do the same, but is even more threatening since it has access to Stealth Rocks and its Poison immunity leaves Xatu helpless against it.
• Zekrom can also switch into all but Toxic and OHKO with Bolt Strike or Fusion Bolt, although Scarf will 2HKO if Reflect is up.
• Tyranitar sets up Stealth Rock, but can also hit Xatu for super effective damage from both of its stabs. It can even trap Xatu with Pursuit. Pursuit from Life Orb and Choice Band Tyranitar does well over 50% to Xatu with Reflect up and will OHKO if it switches.
• Offensive Groudon is also troublesome since Xatu will often switch in to catch Stealth Rock or Earthquake, but will watch in horror as it is outsped and OHKO’d by a super effective Stone Edge.
• While Close Combat does miniscule damage, Xatu fears Terakion’s Stone Edge which has a 20.51% chance to OHKO or 2HKO with Reflect up.
• Similarly, Choice Scarf Victini in the sun has a 92.3% to OHKO with V-Create or 2HKO with Reflect up.
• Choice Band Metagross is not threatened by any of Xatu’s moves and can continue to Meteor Mash until it gets an attack boost or crits for an OHKO.
• Scizor and Heracross can also annoy Xatu, but will take huge damage from Hidden Power Fire in the sun.

 

[trickroom]

Be sure to add a Sprite and link to the pokedex like in the other analyses.

QC APPROVED (1/2)

Mention Tyranitar and Dialga as potential annoyance because both of them can OHKO Xatu if screens are no up. Giratina makes a fantastic partner because it blocks spin attempts while enjoying Xatu bouncing back hazards.

Calm Mind + Psychock deserves mention. Xatu cannot be phazed out which is a nice advantage.
Xatu > Espeon because Espeon is too frail and is 2HKOed at worst by the two most common Spike users: Ferrothorn and Forretress. Xatu can also wall Groudon which is important.

 

[hamiltonion]

Be sure to add a Sprite and link to the pokedex like in the other analyses.

Calm Mind + Psychock deserves mention. Xatu cannot be phazed out which is a nice advantage.

Er Xatu can be phazed out with Dragon Tail.

 

[trickroom]

I should put cannot be phazed out by Roar and Whirlwindl.
Also please update the OP so this thread can receive it's next stamp. Just the set alone isn't enough for a skeleton.

 

[Fireburn]

A stall breaker set with Toxic/HP Fire/Roost/Night Shade could also be considered.

Xatu also has access to Wish - while not especially huge Wishes, it can still soften some blows when Xatu has to switch out, and Haze to stop things from setting up on it.

 

[Koinzell]

I used Dual Screen Xatu a lot on a Sun Team, it was quite impressive, mostly because tons of teams can't handle Ho-Oh and Reshiram without Stealth Rock.

Anyway, I don't think Toxic is a good idea on the dual screen set. Your main targets are Steel typed hazard setters like Ferrothorn and Forretress, eventually your opponent will realize that you cannot touch them and can stay in to waste screen turns or just try to use Stealth Rock on your switch.

Also Night Shade is better than HP Fire on a mono-attacking set. HP Fire outdamages against Ferrothorn and Forry outside of Rain, but both lose to Night Shade Xatu anyway. In every other situation, like on a switch Night Shade is stronger.

The only thing Xatu needs to check his three common targets (support Groudon, ferrothorn, forry) is Reflect, and 5 turn Reflect is fine. Maybe add another set with

Roost
Reflect
HP Fire / Night Shade
Toxic / TWave

In other options you should mention Grass Knot, hits Groudon very hard and Dragon Tail Groudon always stays in. Mention Baton Pass + Calm Mind, although it's maybe outclassed by Espeon in that role.

You should try this set as well

Xatu @ Focus Sash

252 HP - 252 SpA - Quiet

Trick Room
U-Turn
HP Fighting / HP Fire
Psychic

Probably only worth Other Options, but a Trick Room user that can lead against Darkrai and Thunderus ? Yes, please.

and can even wall most of Groudon's sets.

No. You only wall defensive Groudon, and only then if for some reason he invests in Speed or Attack and has Stone Edge, you're in trouble.

 

[giggity69]

I'm not sure about anyone else, but my groudon NEVER leaves home without stone edge... defensive or not.

@ koinzell: Forget about a TR sweeping set, focus on supporting. I think that a mention of Tr + screens + roost, u-turn, or whatever in OO would be fine; there are better pokemon to set it up, and even with investment xatu isn't doing piss to any of the walls in ubers, so staving off the trick room turns would be pretty easy is you stay in.

Oh, and I think you forgot that both darkrai and thundrus rape xatu hardcore, good luck leading against them.

 

[Koinzell]

I'm not sure about anyone else, but my groudon NEVER leaves home without stone edge... defensive or not.

@ koinzell: Forget about a TR sweeping set, focus on supporting. I think that a mention of Tr + screens + roost, u-turn, or whatever in OO would be fine; there are better pokemon to set it up, and even with investment xatu isn't doing piss to any of the walls in ubers, so staving off the trick room turns would be pretty easy is you stay in.

Oh, and I think you forgot that both darkrai and thundrus rape xatu hardcore, good luck leading against them.

It doesn't matter if support Groudon has Stone Edge, the thing is, Xatu can switch into Stone Edge, then use Reflect or Roost to survive the next one. But it only works assuming Groudon doesn't invest in Atck (or he can get the kill with the 2nd Stone Edge / Earthquake on the Roost) and Speed (or he will outspeed and 2HKO). Anyway, support Groudon realy has tons of options, meaning he often doesn't carry Stone Edge.

Eh, the Trick Room set is obviously not meant to sweep / break stall. It is meant to survive a hit and set up Trick Room, then depending on the situation U-Turn to a real Trick Room sweeper or just attack before the opponent gets the kill.

And the thing is, very few leads can prevent a Focus Sash Xatu from setting Trick Room, basicaly Skymin, which is covered by Dialga. Other Trick Room setters are crippled by Darkrai or Taunt users, most of the time by both.

 

[trickroom]

No on Trick Room Xatu set. It sucks and wastes Xatu's hazard blocking ability to set up Trick Room once. There are better Trick Room users out there. Xatu has better things to do. If you want to suicide in order to set up Trick Room, use Cresselia who is infinitely bulkier and has Lunar Dance instead of U-Turn.

 

[Hugendugen]

Skeleton complete, ready for QC Checks.

Will try to get it written by the 30th. I'm going to Europe then, so if I don't get it done in time I might ask someone else to finish it off.

 

[Jibaku]

QC APPROVED (2/2)

Xatu makes Nexus sad >=).

 

[shrang]

One advantage that the TR Xatu has is that you can't stop it setting up with Taunt o_0, something to consider

 

[trickroom]

Who wants to Taunt Xatu anyway? Tyranitar, Heatran and Mewtwo rather kill Xatu than Taunting it. Most things that set up Trick Room in Ubers are strong anyway, like Dialga, Palkia and Victini. Bronzong is weaker but it has the resistances and Explosion for a free teammate switch in. I don't think any Taunt users want to Taunt Dialga, Palkia or Victini LOL. Heatran comes close as a Dialga check but Draco Meteor hurts it, while Earth Power OHKOes. Also I hate the fact that Trick Room in Ubers is rather hard to pull off at the moment.

 

[Koinzell]

Xatu's ability to completely prevent Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory, Tentacruel and Deo-S from setting up any Hazards enables it to come in and set up screens, making it great support for offensive and stall teams alike.

You might want to remove Tentacruel from that list, he is faster than Xatu and commonly carries Ice Beam. Even Ice Beam-less versions will annoy Xatu with Scald, Rain Dish makes him a nightmare in Rain.

Deoxys-S can also be dangerous depending on his movepool (Ice Beam / Shadow Ball).

Other (un)common hazard setters you wall : Bronzong, Chansey/Blissey and Thunder-less Jirachi.

Since Dialga, Tyranitar, Deoxys-A and Offensive Groudon can all set up Rocks, but also OHKO depending on which move they choose, Xatu does require a fairly high level of prediction to prevent Stealth Rocks entirely.

Add Heatran and Arceus to this section, both can setup Stealth Rock or beat Xatu. Uninvested Heatran's Fire Blast 2HKOs Xatu even with Light Screen before the 2nd, and Lava Plume versions can do the same in Sun. While most of the time, Arceus has better things to do than Stealth Rock, Xatu wants to stay away from it.

The main issue with Xatu is that he is rather useless if the opponent doesn't run hazards (not likely), or has an Stealth Rock user Xatu can't handle (read : Dialga).
Also, don't forget to mention that Forretress gets Volt Switch, that can annoy Xatu rather quickly.

 

[polop]

Deo-s and tentacreul dont have spectacular special attack and its hits will tickle after a light screen is up. They cant do their main job of setting up hazards (if deo-s reflects taunt on itself you can essentially set up a screen and switch into something that easily kills it). Tentacreul also fears psyshock A LOT i don't think it will want to stay in fearing that attack. Xatu has roost and it can set up light screen and roost away at heatran or it can light screen and run away to a counter that can ohko it while it fire blasts.

 

[Koinzell]

Deo-s and tentacreul dont have spectacular special attack and its hits will tickle after a light screen is up. They cant do their main job of setting up hazards (if deo-s reflects taunt on itself you can essentially set up a screen and switch into something that easily kills it). Tentacreul also fears psyshock A LOT i don't think it will want to stay in fearing that attack. Xatu has roost and it can set up light screen and roost away at heatran or it can light screen and run away to a counter that can ohko it while it fire blasts.

In theory, you can switch Xatu into Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave from support Dialga, set up Light Screen before he Draco Meteors and Roost from here. Would you say that Xatu fares well against Dialga ? Of course not, Xatu is OHKOd by Draco Meteor on the switch.
It's more or less the same thing with Tentacruel and Ice Beam Deoxys S. Please don't overestimate Xatu's bulk

Assuming 252 HP Xatu :

Ice Beam from uninvested Tentacruel : 45.5% - 53.9% (you lose if you switch into it)
​

Ice Beam from uninvested Deoxys-S : 52.7% - 62.3%
Ice Beam from 252 SpA Deoxys-S : 67.7% - 79.6% (you lose even if you switch into Taunt)

In general, trying to stall Ice Beams is a terrible idea. Eventualy the 10% Freeze will kick in.

And no Xatu, should not be carrying Psycho Shock, Psychic gives bad coverage and uninvested Xatu is weak. You 2HKO Tentacruel ? Great for you. You can no longer touch Ferrothorn / Forretress / Impish Groudon.

 

[polop]

Psycho shock can be used although it isn't recommended (but if the opponent doesn't know that then you can bluff). Deoxys-s doesn't invest much in sp atk so im taking the ladder calcs. Secondly if deoxys-s does run ice beam it takes nothing if it has a screen right in front of it.
Calcs are done with 252 hp xatu and 0 sp atk investment tentacruel and deoxys-s.
Deo-s ice beam vs xatu behind screen= (26.95% - 31.74%)
Tenta's ice beam vs xatu behind screen= (23.35% - 27.54%)

Prediction is necessary when using xatu and predicting hazards isn't the hardest thing in the world. Unless your dying for sp def you could run a number to prevent those 2hko's you said but then you might as well use espeon if you really want that sp def.

 

[No Luck Involved]

Thunder Wave should get a mention as an option over Toxic imo. His ability already makes life difficult for stall teams and Thunder Wave along with dual screens does a good job of crippling offensive teams. Espeon doesn't have access to Thunder Wave which helps differentiate Xatu some more.

 

[Koinzell]

Prediction is necessary when using xatu and predicting hazards isn't the hardest thing in the world. Unless your dying for sp def you could run a number to prevent those 2hko's you said but then you might as well use espeon if you really want that sp def.

My point is, Xatu is not safe against Deoxys / Tentacruel like he is safe against say ... Ferrothorn. Sure you can switch into hazards and force them out, but can also get predicted (team preview, remember ?) and 2HKOd. Also, again, stalling Ice Beams is a terrible idea.

If you want something that is 100% reliant on prediction, just use Espeon. Xatu is good because he completely walls some common hazard setters, not Tentacruel.

Thunder Wave should get a mention as an option over Toxic imo. His ability already makes life difficult for stall teams and Thunder Wave along with dual screens does a good job of crippling offensive teams. Espeon doesn't have access to Thunder Wave which helps differentiate Xatu some more.

Not on the dual screener, once your opponent realize you have no way to attack... But it's true that the common switches into Xatu are more crippled by TWave than Toxic. Maybe a slash next to Light Screen for leftovers Xatu.

 

[Furai]

Most Tentacruel don't even run Ice Beam. A Scald in the rain might hurt, if SR is on the field - which probably won't happen because of Magic Bounce: (calcs assuming it's raining)
196 Atk vs 176 Def & 334 HP (80 Base Power): 144 - 169 (43.11% - 50.60%)
0.72% to OHKO without Lefties.
Behind Light Screen:
196 Atk vs 176 Def & 334 HP (80 Base Power): 72 - 85 (21.56% - 25.45%)

In my opinion, Xatu's job is not take Tentacruel down, maybe damage him a bit, but to create an opportuinity for some other Pokemon to sweep, with Dual Screens support and the ability to keep Hazards away from your side and bounce them back to the opponent's side.

 

[Nexus]

Taken over by Mr.lol here. Moving